Is Organic food worth the Cost?

[Sahib Punjabi]

Is organic food worth the cost?

U.S. organic farming has grown wildly for the last two decades, but with food demand rising and cash-strapped shoppers pinching pennies, are greener acres still the place to be?

By Russell McLendonFri, Oct 08 2010 at 11:09 AM EST

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/translating-uncle-sam/stories/is-o...

$1.2 Million Federal Grant to Study Economics of Organic Farming

A $1.2 Million dollar federal grant will help Minnesota economists study the costs of switching from conventional to organic farming. The four-year project will collect data about costs and
profits for farmers who make the switch to one of the fastest-growing
segments in agriculture.

While organic farming is among the fastest-growing segments of agriculture, few public studies have been done on the costs and returns for those who make the transition. Researchers hope to learn from
organic farmers information that will help others decide whether to make
the switch.

[David Hart]

That's too funny ! The owl, was a real 'hoot'....lol



Sahib Punjabi said:

Who says organic farming can't be hip? A new ad for a British dairy farm, Yeo Valley Organic (pronounced "yo valley) uses rap music, along with a hopping tractor and a gyrating owl, to milk its message.


source : http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2010/10/rap...

[Sahib Punjabi]

Conventional vs. Organic: An Ag Secretary Race to Watch


In Iowa, the race for Secretary of Agriculture has started attracting national attention. Two starkly different candidates are in a dead heat for the traditionally low-profile post, and the winner will be a bellwether of our national attitudes towards food and agricultural policy.

The incumbent is Bill Northey, an establishment candidate who receives donations from Big-Ag corporations like Monsanto, Sygenta, Walmart, and DuPont. He's been challenged by Francis Thicke (pronounced TICK-ee), the owner of a grass-based organic dairy who's running for political office for the first time. "For the food movement, [this race] is the most important this election," sustainable-food guru Michael Pollan told me by email. "If Thicke can pull this off—and he's in range—it will send an important message nationally that even Iowa, the heart of corn and hog country, is eager for reform, and that the 'Farm block' is not as monolithic as people in Congress assume." .......

With only days left until the election, no clear victor in sight, and enormous differences in policy at stake, the Thicke/Northey battle for the nation's agriculture capital rages on. For anyone interested in food or farming, this hotly-contested race is the one to watch in 2010." read the complete article be selecting the link below

Now Francis Thicke is my type of guy! Got to check out who we have to select from in FL. Suggest we all do the same in our own states...one way to start the ball rolling in the right (Ophs!...I mean "correct), direction :-)

Read the full article at http://www.theatlantic.com/food/archive/2010/10/conventional-vs-org...

[Sahib Punjabi]

Organic vegetables 'no healthier than conventional food'

"Organic vegetables are no healthier than food grown conventionally despite their premium price, according to a university study."

Really !...What you been drinking?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/foodanddrinknews/8110680/Or...

[David Hart]

A bunch of researchers playing farmer......what do you expect ?...

Sahib Punjabi said:

Organic vegetables 'no healthier than conventional food'

"Organic vegetables are no healthier than food grown conventionally despite their premium price, according to a university study."

Really !...What you been drinking?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/foodanddrinknews/8110680/Or...

[TCLynx]

Lets see now if you were to compare food grown in some really great soil but not technically "organic" with some other food that got Labled Organic but is essentially being raised just like the chemically grown stuff, only using organically listed alternatives for the big three fertilizers and herbicides and pesticides and then it is shipped around the world. In such a case, it might make no difference.

Big Ag has in many cases jumped into the Organic ring and the truth is, I expect that there are many "certified organic" things out there that are really no different from their chemically grown counter parts other than the exact make up of the traces of the pesticides that are left on them. Essentially the intent of "Organic" has been stripped from much of the stuff being sold today. Some of it may still be what we think Organic should be, but then again, much of it is not anymore.

What I want as Organic would not only be man made chemical free but also local, sustainable, and more about building the soil and a greater permaculture.

What some industry has called organic is exactly the same as the chemical farming only substituting the man made chemicals for the organic alternatives which sadly doesn't make it any better really.

Intensive small scale organic farming can grow a lot more/healthier food in a smaller space, however when doing the industry organic monocultures organic farming may be less productive and no better than chemical other than the traces of pesticides might not be as bad for us.

In other words, not just organic but what kind of organic?

[Sahib Punjabi]

Yes I know Francis Thicke was not successful...still he made serious inroads and has opened up the good cause discussion...better luck next time...if we all support such candidates that are reflective of our views...who knows...one day..:-)

HeY ! I live in FL and this was happening in Iowa...just think...it could happen in your State. Are you ready to support such candidates?

Francis Thicke's His "Thank you" message...so humble "

"Thanks For Your Support
by Francis Thicke

To our friends and supporters:

By now you have seen the election results, and know that we did not win the race for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. However, we did engage the public in an important discussion and debate on the future of our food and agriculture, and we moved the dialogue forward.

I very much appreciate the huge surge of support for our campaign in the last weeks before the election, and all your uplifting messages of encouragement after the election results came in.

Clearly, we have a lot more work to do to move our food and agriculture towards greater sustainability. And, it is also clear that there are no simple political solutions. We will all need to keep working on many fronts to keep our issues moving forward. It will take the involvement of educators, researchers, farmers, and concerned citizens. In short, it will take a change of thinking – a change of consciousness – in the general public to support the changes we are working toward.

Thank you, everyone, for your support of our campaign! I am encouraged that we made important strides in changing the thinking about food and agriculture, and I look forward to crossing paths and working together in the future.

Francis Thicke"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY29b4o1mJQ&feature=player_embedded



Sahib Punjabi said:

Conventional vs. Organic: An Ag Secretary Race to Watch


In Iowa, the race for Secretary of Agriculture has started attracting national attention. Two starkly different candidates are in a dead heat for the traditionally low-profile post, and the winner will be a bellwether of our national attitudes towards food and agricultural policy.

The incumbent is Bill Northey, an establishment candidate who receives donations from Big-Ag corporations like Monsanto, Sygenta, Walmart, and DuPont. He's been challenged by Francis Thicke (pronounced TICK-ee), the owner of a grass-based organic dairy who's running for political office for the first time. "For the food movement, [this race] is the most important this election," sustainable-food guru Michael Pollan told me by email. "If Thicke can pull this off—and he's in range—it will send an important message nationally that even Iowa, the heart of corn and hog country, is eager for reform, and that the 'Farm block' is not as monolithic as people in Congress assume." .......

With only days left until the election, no clear victor in sight, and enormous differences in policy at stake, the Thicke/Northey battle for the nation's agriculture capital rages on. For anyone interested in food or farming, this hotly-contested race is the one to watch in 2010." read the complete article be selecting the link below

Now Francis Thicke is my type of guy! Got to check out who we have to select from in FL. Suggest we all do the same in our own states...one way to start the ball rolling in the right (Ophs!...I mean "correct), direction :-)

Read the full article at http://www.theatlantic.com/food/archive/2010/10/conventional-vs-org...

[David Hart]

Sorry Kobus ! I consider you ..one of 'us'...lol . There was supposed to be a laughing smiley face at the end of my sentence...I don't know what happened to it...?
Ok....a "buch of academics"....playing farmer....
( the 'smiles' aren't working for me ?)

Kobus Jooste said:

May I humbly ask that you change it to "buch of academics" or something. You hurt my feelings! :-P

David Hart said:

A bunch of researchers playing farmer......what do you expect ?...

Sahib Punjabi said:

Organic vegetables 'no healthier than conventional food'

"Organic vegetables are no healthier than food grown conventionally despite their premium price, according to a university study."

Really !...What you been drinking?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/foodanddrinknews/8110680/Or...

:)

:D

[Sahib Punjabi]

Totally agree Kobus :-)

Tag line that my family wants to use for our commercial venture...hopefully will share name and logo soon...

"Grown locally, grown naturally". We are also registered with our State so can use "Fresh from Florida" in our marketing :-)




Kobus Jooste said:

LOL all around. I know that research, researchers, scientists, consultants and academics all know how to milk the system and talk a heap of BS. On a serious note. I think these surveys point to some really important issues for us though:
1. People in general do not see the value to switch to "organic" produce production if the costs are too high
2. People in general do not see the use of buying organic produce if it costs a lot more than regular - the health and taste issues do not sway them.
3. Aquaponics is in the position to produce a premium crop at a decent price, but will likely never get "organic" status.
4. For many people "organic" = "expensive", and it may just be a good idea to market under sustainable / ISO labels rather than organic, which is becoming a bit of a swear word in my country due to the cheating and unsustsainable practices, plus high input costs that has been reported.

David Hart said:

Sorry Kobus ! I consider you ..one of 'us'...lol . There was supposed to be a laughing smiley face at the end of my sentence...I don't know what happened to it...?
Ok....a "buch of academics"....playing farmer....
( the 'smiles' aren't working for me ?)

Kobus Jooste said:

May I humbly ask that you change it to "buch of academics" or something. You hurt my feelings! :-P

David Hart said:

A bunch of researchers playing farmer......what do you expect ?...

Sahib Punjabi said:

Organic vegetables 'no healthier than conventional food'

"Organic vegetables are no healthier than food grown conventionally despite their premium price, according to a university study."

Really !...What you been drinking?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/foodanddrinknews/8110680/Or...

:)

:D

[Sahib Punjabi]

What's More Important - Organic Food or Local Food?

I am sharing a post from a friend… So fellow Aquapons, what's your vote/opinion?

Let us know what YOU think.... What's More Important - Organic Food or Local Food?

Yes I know the easy answer is Local Organic Food…but seriously, give this some thought. Personally, I would elect for food grown by Aquaponic means J. How about you?

Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/the-happy-homesteader/organic-food-l...